Sledding

Today, the girls and I went sleigh riding with my parents. We just went to a park by our house and had a great time. Makena was so excited to go, but when she got there, she was so scared to go down the hill. After her first time down, she told Grandma that she was done. We kept having her go down the hill and after about 10 minutes, she didn't want to get off the hill. She loved going down all by herself along side Kali. Kali was the same as Makena, scared at first, but then she didn't want to go down with anyone, just herself. And my miss independent girl also had to carry the tube up the hill all by herself. They had such a fun time, they kept telling us "one more time" and we kept giving in and letting them go down that "last time" just to have them go again. A fun little outing!!


Makena and Kali making their way up the hill.


Makena, Grandma and Kali


Makena and Kali going down the hill all by themselves!


Makena and Grandma


Kali climbing the hill and doing it while holding onto the tube.


Grandpa and Makena getting ready to go down the hill and see if they could go the furthest.

Merry Christmas

A Merry Christmas to you all!! Hope you had a great day. We sure did. We started the day bright and early at 6:45 when Kali woke up. We kept her in our room until Tyler and Makena woke up, which was around 7:15. They then went out into the front room and saw all the stuff Santa had brought them. They were jumping up and down and were full of excitement. They opened up some gifts and then Grandma and Grandpa Boyack and Molly came over to watch the kids open their gifts. We also had a nice yummy breakfast and we played with their toys. It was a very nice morning!


Here is a picture before the kids got to it...sorry not the best picture, I will have to teach Jarel the correct way to take a picture :)


Santa brought the kids the chairs they are sitting on and we gave the kids those pillow animals. They were a big hit! They love sitting in their chairs while watching TV and Tyler loves lying on his lion.


Tyler opening up a gift. He was so excited Christmas morning. He loved ripping off the wrapping paper and kept going after every gift.


Tyler opening up another gift. He loved it!


Makena opening up Missy's present from Santa. And it was the sweater she had asked for and it fit Missy!!!


Makena and Tyler opening up gifts from Santa. They got the Tag reading system and these were some of the books they got.


After Kali opened up her present, Tyler climbed right on the box and was very happy sitting up there.


Kali didn't care that Tyler was sitting on her gift. She was more into the pez candy Santa brought.


Kali on her sit and spin.

Around 11:30, we went to Jarel's parents for lunch and more celebration. The kids got to play with cousins and open a gift. They love going to Grandma and Grandpa's house.


Makena got a littlest pet shop house for all of her animals. This was a littlest pet shop year for Makena.


Kali got a bucket of blocks that she can build stuff with.


Tyler got some balls. He loves throwing them and playing catch.


Uncle Brent was kind enough to read a story to the girls...and after a long morning, Kali fell asleep!

After time with Jarel's parents, we went to my parent's house for a little white elephant gift exchange (always fun) and some more eating and present opening. And more playing with cousins and toys.


One of the gifts Makena got was a bed for Missy from Grandma and Grandpa. She thinks this was the coolest gift and loves to carry Missy around in it and when Makena goes to bed, Missy goes in her bed but right in bed with Makena.


I will not explain this one...just had to put it on!


Tyler enjoying the day!


Makena used this crape paper from the white elephant gift exchange to "tie" people to the chair. Her first victim was Grandpa.


Next victim was Dad.


Next up was Uncle Jacob.


And then Uncle Jacob got Makena back and tied her to the chair.


The kids with Grandpa and Grandma Boyack.


Kali got a tent from Grandma and Grandpa Boyack and the girls have slept in the tent every night until I just took it down 1/4/10. They loved sleeping in it and Makena would ask "can we talk a little before we go to bed?" You would hear them laughing and just having a good time. So fun to hear and see.


Kali using one of her gifts creatively.

Hathaway Family Party

Every other year...we go to the Hathaway family party. There was food, a pinata for the girls to hit, a gift exchange and always the opening of the cereal from Grandma. It is always good to go and see Grandma.


Makena hitting the pinata. She had a blast hitting the snowman.


The girls getting the candy. They knew just what to do when the candy fell from the pinata. Kali came away with 2 bags full. Jarel gave her her first bag and she got that full and gave it to Grandpa, and came back for another bag. She does LOVE her candy!! That's my girl!


With Grandma Hathaway!

Cookies for Santa

Before we left for the Christmas Eve party, we let the girls put out the cookies and milk for Santa, just incase the girls fell asleep on the way home that night. Makena couldn't decided what kind of milk Santa would like better, so she put out some while milk and some chocolate milk. And she knows that Santa like chocolate chip cookies!! Kali and Makena put out oats and apples for the reindeer. And they had to have 9 apples slices...one for each reindeer. Makena also wanted to put out a book she had made in preschool so Santa could read it when he came by. And we couldn't forget about Ellis the Elf. We left him a plate of skittles up on his favorite spot that he liked to sit on and watch the kids. Why skittles, you ask? Well, Makena knew that Elves like to eat skittles...that's why! Anyway, when the kids woke up Christmas morning, all the treats had been eaten except for some crumbs left by Santa and some oats from the reindeer. And a note was left saying that Ellis the elf had told Santa that the kids were very good this year and that Santa loved reading Makena's book. The smiles on their faces that morning were the best. Santa had actually read Makena's book made her day. And also that Ellis liked skittles "see mom, I knew he would like them."

Christmas Eve PJs

I had been telling the kids all day that after the movie and once Dad got home from work...I would let them open up a present. So after we did the Magic Reindeer Dust, we went in the house and Makena asked if they could open up their present. I went and got them and gave them to Makena, Kali and Tyler. They were so excited to be opening a present. They opened them and pulled out their Christmas Eve pajamas. Makena was thrilled with the ones that she got. She wanted to put them one right away and wear them to our Christmas Eve party we were getting ready for. Kali kept hugging hers and when she saw that Makena had hers on, Kali wanted to put hers on as well.


Kali loving her pajamas. She got Christmas Minnie Mouse ones.


Tyler opening up his Toy Story pajamas.


My miss independent girl. She always wants to do things herself. And so this is Kali putting on her pajamas. She thought she was silly by putting the pants on her head.


Makena with her Christmas princess pajamas. She is my princess girl and loves all the princesses and loves to have her hair done like a princess, likes to dress like a princess and loves getting her nails done and chapstick on like princesses do. She is my girly girl!

Magic Reindeer Dust

After the movie...we got home and decided that it was a good time to sprinkle the "Magic Reindeer Dust" on the snow so that the reindeer will be able to find their way to our house. Makena and Kali were so excited to do this. They threw it as far as they could and were just talking the whole time if Rudolph would be able to see the sparkles and come. It was too cute to watch them get so excited. I love how excited they are and the magic of Christmas that we have felt this month. This Christmas as been the most fun for me with children. The magic is in our house and I love that feeling and to see the smiles on my kid's face is precious to me.


Here they are throwing the dust all over the snow, making sure the reindeer and Santa will be able to see it


The reindeer dust on our snow


Tyler loving being outside watching his sisters laugh and having a good time.

Just a side story: We have an elf that visits us every December. His name is Ellis and he comes the 1st of December and stays until Christmas Eve. He comes every morning to a new spot in our house and watches our kids and then at night he flies to the North Pole to tell Santa if the kids have been good or bad that day. If the kids have been super good that day, then Ellis will leave them a treat. It has been fun to watch the girls every morning come out of their room and look around to see where Ellis is at. When we got home from the movie...Ellis was gone. Makena told me, "Mom is flew up to help Santa bring me some presents." Yes he did!!

Well 2 days ago...Makena decided that her little dog Missy needed a sweater for Christmas. And so she came to me and asked me if she could tell Santa that Missy needs a sweater for Christmas. I told her that we probably won't be seeing Santa again being only 2 days before Christmas. She then told me, "if I ask Ellis, maybe he would fly home tonight and tell Santa that I need a sweater for Missy." (So we have our very own personal messenger for Santa!) I told her that she could and that she probably needed to bring Missy out so that Ellis could see how big she was and so he could get the right size. So the cutest thing ever happened, Makena went into her room, got Missy and came and held Missy high into the air so Ellis could see her. She then proceeded to talk to Ellis and said, "Ellis this is my dog Missy. Would you tell Santa that she needs a sweater for Christmas?" And then she went on her merry way for the day. I didn't get a picture of her...but it was just a sweet moment for me to watch her and see the magic of Christmas in her life. I am glad that I have special Elves in my life that could help full fill this request!! Missy will be warm on Christmas day.

The Princess and the Frog

Today is Christmas Eve and we started the day by going to see "The Princess and the Frog" with Grandma and Grandpa Boyack. It was a very cute movie and the girls loved it, "even the scary parts" (according to Makena). Makena brought a blanket to the movie just to be prepared if the scary parts were too scary she could cover her eyes. But she didn't have too. It was a good way to start off Christmas Eve. Now it's time to get ready for Santa to come!!

Sibling Fun

I knew Tyler was playing with the stove when I went into my room to get ready for the day and when I came back to the kitchen I walked into this!

Sledding down the Driveway!!

Makena was so excited that she was finally able to go sledding. Even if it was just down the driveway today. Jarel got home from work early and was snow blowing the driveway when Makena came running to me asking if she could go outside. So we got her gear on...and she headed out the door for some fun. It is has been hard trying to take her outside. She wants to play outside, but it has been so cold that I don't want to take Tyler outside. So we have tried going out when Tyler is taking his nap, but it just hasn't worked out. So, I was glad that Jarel was home early to take her outside.


Carrying the sled up the driveway.


On her way down!!


I love this picture...it shows how much fun she is having!!

Trix

I guess the boy was hungry! He had only eaten a bowl of oatmeal and 8 ounces of milk about 30 minutes prior. I guess I didn't feed him enough, so he helped himself to some trix!

Temple Square

Tonight we went to Temple Square with my family. We do this every year and it is something that we look forward too. We all dressed warm because it was freezing cold outside. But despite being cold...we had a good time. We love seeing the lights and the temple and all of the manger scenes that have have placed around the temple grounds.


In front of the New Zealand manger scene.


Uncle Jacob and Kali


Kali loved just lying on her belly looking at the water. She at one point put her gloved hand in the water and realized that it was very cold.


Salt Lake Temple


Tyler was a trooper. He was dressed very warm and bundled nice and snug. He just sat in the stroller watching the lights.


Makena and Kali with their cousin in front of the temple.